Defoe tops BBC Sport ranking of Premier League’s greatest substitutes

BBC Sport has ranked Jermain Defoe the Premier League’s greatest substitute, with the former England striker’s record 24 goals after coming off the bench topping its all-time list. [1]

The ranking, by BBC Sport senior journalist Alex Bysouth, weighs goals and assists from substitute appearances. Defoe’s 24 goals came in 24 different matches, and five were winners — both Premier League records, according to the article.

Nwankwo Kanu is second, followed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Edin Džeko ranks fourth, with Olivier Giroud seventh. Defoe’s tally spans his Premier League career with West Ham, Tottenham, Portsmouth, Sunderland and Bournemouth.

The list also highlights players whose impact was measured in more than goals. Theo Walcott leads with 14 assists as a substitute, while Kanu recorded 12. Džeko ranks first for combined goals and assists per minute off the bench, averaging a contribution every 63 minutes, BBC Sport says.

The ranking is an individual selection rather than an official league award. BBC Sport also notes that Adam Le Fondre holds the record for most substitute goals in a single Premier League season, with five in 2012-13.